That's right, 10 days left until Christmas. Finished shopping yet? Not me. I haven't started. I can hear my grandmother yelling at me from up in heaven. She was done by February or March of each year.

Let me make a few suggestions on those gift giving obstacles you may face.

Remember this -- you are not buying for you. You are buying for someone else. Pick what they like, not what you like. If you can't resist that cute little something from your favorite out of the way shop, make sure you pack the receipt.

Be wary, very wary of giving gifts of food. Unless it's one of those really cool gift baskets. Now my grandfather loved Hickory Farms gift boxes. Not everyone else does. So be careful with this ... you don't want to hear, "remember when you gave us that (insert weird food object name here)" and everyone starts laughing.

Guys your significant other will not enjoy receiving "practical" gifts. It's different for us. Tools, ooh rah, that's cool. Stuff for the car, yeah, babee! Techie toys, boys call the paramedics. Your spouse is not going to enjoy a new iron. Or vacuum cleaner. Not even new pots and pans.

These things send bad, bad, bad subliminal messages. Like, maybe this will help you get my shirts ironed the right way (hint here -- take your shirts to the dry cleaner), or, you aren't doing a good job keeping the house clean, or maybe these will make you cook so we don't go out so often. Get ready for the glare. And cold shoulder. Maybe even the couch.

Speaking of your sweetie, cash generally isn't a good idea either. Jewelry works. Really well. Ladies, see the item about tools, car stuff and techie toys.

Cash is a pretty good gift for everyone else though. It gives them the power of choice. A little impersonal, but who says no to cash? Except for the paragraph above, my guess is no one.

Gift cards are ok. Especially if you have to ship stuff. The lines at the Post Office and the package stores are really long. Slapping a stamp on an envelope that contains a card and a gift card makes life easy and almost everyone happy.

If you are convinced you are getting someone clothes, make sure you get the right size. Especially for the ones you love who rightfully expect that you know this information. Guys, go peek in her closet and jot down the sizes (off of something she has worn recently) before you go out. You'll be the hero, trust me.

Alright everyone (all three of you), go out and finish that shopping early. And, Merry Christmas!

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